Wrapping and sealing machine



M. A. WERTHEIMER WRAPPING AND SEALING MACHINE Sept. 30, 19,58

9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 15, 195'?l AINVENTOR. Afl/f. ram/'l 4% TM5/445,@ BY l l4//6' irfa/r/fm Sept. 30, 1958 M. A. WERTHEIMER WRAPPING AND SEALING MACHINE Filed NOV. 15, 1957 9 Sheets-Shea?I 2 INVENToR.

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Sept. 30, 1958 .M. A. WERTHEIMER 2,853,841

WRAPPING AND SEALIG MACHINE Filed Nov. 15, 1957 9 sheets-smet s um l|||| ||||||l||li w mm mJ u JI Q s m um Tm Q 1 m|m ma me my A 1111 15% ,idio MM N0|| www 1m@ IQIM- du@ r -l i O @so J. s b l i@lrl I W :i i Sl o t E l--- C c f i s w N p w O@ mm mm mm Sept 30, 1958 v 'M. A. WERTHEIMER 2,853,841

WBAPPING AND SEALING MACHINE:

9 Shee'cs-Sheerl 4 Filed NOV. 15, 1957 INVENTOR. /l/l/L ra/v W52 rye/MER BY 2 Z 2 Sept- 30, 1958 M. A. WERTHEIMER 2,853,841

WRAPPING AND SEALING MACHINE:

Filed NOV. 15, 1957 Q Sheets-Sheet 5 H f R. w H 0 N r M N n .M m M r 7 A nl. M, M Y o@ Sw mlm Q: 8 E3 Huhn. G No 1 :1 .www m2 me i m2 Sept- 30, 1958 A. WERTHEIMER 2,853,841

' WRAPPING AND SEALING MACHINEv y Filed NOV. l5, 1957 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 BY MMM Sept. 30, 1958 M. A. WERTHIMER 2,853,841

` WRAPPING AND SEALING MACHINE Filed Nov. l5, 1957 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 M. A. wERTHElMl-:R 2,853,841

WRAPPING AND SEALING MACHINE Sept. 30, 1958 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Nov. 15, 1957 IN V EN TOR. /l/f/A 70A/ A 14./ Lema/Efe sept. 3o, 195s Filed Nov. l5, 1957 M. A. wERTHElMER 2,853,841

WRAPPING AND SEALING MACHINE 9 sheets-sheet 9 BVM/M@ United States Patent C) WRAPPING AND SEALING MACHINE Milton A. Wertheimer, Rock Island, lll., assignor to Gellman Manufacturing Co., Rock Island, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application November 15, 1957, Serial No. 696,663

Claims. (Cl. 53-210) My invention relates to new and useful improvements in a wrapping and sealing machine and has for its principal object a machine which will automatically wrap and seal a package in a heat responsive sealing-type paper.

Another object of my invention is in the provision in a machine of this character of a means for setting the operative parts of the machine to correspond to various size packages to be wrapped.

Another object of my invention is in the provision in a' machine of this character of a mechanism which will receive and draw a package to be wrapped in a position whereby such package will be by movement thereof partially wrapped.

Another object of my invention is in the provision in a machine of this character of a means for feeding a predetermined length of Wrapping paper into package Wrapping position.

Another and equally important object of my invention is in the provision in a machine of this character of a paper tunnel which by its construction resists the creation and presence of static in the heat responsive paper.

Yet another object of my invention is in the provision in a machine of this character of a corner paper tucker which receives and holds a portion of thepaper to be wrapped on the package through part of its path of movement through the machine.

Another and equally important object of my invention is in the provision in a machine of this character of side sealing plates which may be pivoted intoand out of sealing position with respect to a package passing over and through the machine.

Another object of my invention is in the provision in a machine of this character of a package bottom sealer for sealing the bottom of a package which is concave. Another object of my invention is in the provision in a machine of this character of package moving and pushing members which are adapted to operate on assorted types and sizes of packages.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the wrapping and sealing machine;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing the interiorv operative elements of my machine;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the package loading table and its associated parts;

` Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary front perspective view of the paper feeding mechanism associated with my machine;

Fig. 6 is a` fragmentary side perspective view of the package holding members and corner paper tuckers;

2,853,841 Patented Sept. 30, 1958 ICC Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the interior of my machine adjacent the front end thereof showing certain parts thereof in section, and showing in dotted lines certain operative positions of different elements of my machine;

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the package passage mechanisms associated with my machine;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side perspective view of the parts of my machine by which a portion of the paper is received and folded into facial abutment with the bottom of a package passing therethrough, and a package pushing member;

Fig. 11 is a sectional detail View taken on line 11-11 of Fig. l0;

Fig. l2 is a perspective view of one of the adjustable side sealing plates associated with my device;

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view taken on line 13-13 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end of the paper feeding mechanism;

Fig. 15 is a detail sectional view taken on line 15--15 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view of the clutch member and paper feeding mechanism;

Fig. 17 is a detail sectional view taken on line 17-17 of Fig. 16; and

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary perspectivev view showing certain operative elements of my invention.

By way of general description, the wrapping machine shown in Fig. 1 comprises a main frame 10. Within this main frame 10 are the operating mechanisms for the sequential operation of the individual elements of such machine. These mechanisms are all operated by an electric motor (Figs. 2 and 18). This motor 11 has operative connection to a speed reducer 12 through a pulley 13 and a safety slip clutch 14. These elements are all of standard construction and make up no part of the present invention.

The speed reducer 12 drives a shaft 15. This shaft 15 will in turn rotate a series of cams xedly attached thereto. Attached to the shaft 15 and rotatable therewith is a sprocket wheel 16 which through the chain 17 will rotate a second shaft 18 which has a like sprocket wheel 19 meshing with the chain. Between the shaft 15 and the shaft 18 is a third shaft 20. On this latter shaft 20 and iixedly attached thereto in any suitable manner are the package moving crank arms 21.

The shaft 15 rotatably carries the elevator cam 22, the compensating plate cam 23, and the paper feed and package moving crank arm cam 24. Shaft 18 rotatably carries the transverse table pushing cam 25. These cams and their individual function and operation Will be fully described hereinafter.

In the wrapping and sealing operation, the package to be wrapped and sealed is placed on the loading table 26. This loading table is mounted for reciprocal movement on a horizontally extending track in the form of a bar 27 secured to the frame 10 so as to extend transversely across the machine and beyond the one side thereof (Fig. l). The table 26 is divided into two parts by a transversely extending slot 23. They front edge of each part ofthe table 26 is supported by spacer bars 29, connected by a nut and bolt combination 30, to a carriage member 31. This carriage member 31 has at either end thereof, depending legs 32. The legs 32 are of such a length as to extend below the bar 27. Connected to the rear of the legs 32, as seen in Fig. 4, above and below the bar 27, are slide blocks 33. These slide blocks 33 are connected by any suitable means to the legs 32 and permit the reciprocal slidable movement as Vseenin Fig; 5.

of the table 26 over the track 27 in a mannerv and for a purpose hereinafter made apparent.

The top of the carriage member 31 at the middle thereof is recessed as at 34.*` Extending inwardly of thisy recessed portion 34 are twoguide plates 35. These guide plates 35 terminate apart from each other at a point which is in vertical alignment with the slot 28 (Fig. 4) and extend beneath the table 26 its full width. These guide plates 35 are slidabl'y projected in a bifurcated end 36 of a post 37. This post 37 projects upwardly throughV the slot 28 and carries the pusher plate 39. This pusher plate 39 isiadapted to Vbe moved transversely ofthe Width of the table 26 by means hereinafter explained.

The table 26 has formed alonglits rear edge a slot 40. Into this'slot 40 slidably projects the shank of a nut and bolt combination'41. The nut and bolt combination 41 is carried by the horizontal flange 42 of package positioning'arms'43. These arms 43 at a point above the slot carry a bushing 44 through which is threaded a 'spindle 45. This ,spindle 45- is reversely threaded half-way throughout its length. Oneend of the spindle 45 is threaded through ka stationary bushing 46 carried by one side edge of the table 26- (Figs. '3 and 4). A h andle'47 is provided'on said one end of the spindle 45 to facilitate rotating the same. By such rotation, the arms 43 may be adjusted relative to each other to correspond to the size of the package to be wrapped. y .l

Formed in one part of Vthe table 26 and extending parallel kto the slot 28 vto one side thereof,` is a partial slot 48. Positioned in this partial slot 48 is a spring arm 49 of a switch nnit 50. The arrangement is that when the arm 49 is depressed by the weight of a package placed on the table 26, the switch 50 will be closed.V

This switch 50 and its operative connection with the overall operation of the machine will be hereinafter made apparent.

VCarried at the front end of the frame 10 (Fig. 1) bewhich is opposite to the cam surface formed on the plate Carried by the uppermost portion of the front legs of the frame 10, above and to the rear of the shaft 61, is a spindle shaft 74. This spindle shaft 74 projects through circular bearings 75 provided by the frame 10. The shaft 74 extends beyond these bearings 75 as viewed in Fig. 5. At one end of the shaft 74 is a handle 76. On the opposite end of the shaft 74 is a sprocket Wheel 77 having threaded thereon a chain 78. This chain 78 connects to a second .wheel 77 at therear of the machine. "This wheel 77 is likewise carried by a shaft 74', .the arrangement being such that by rotation of the handle 76 both shafts 74 and 74 will be rotated. This shaft 74 is threaded in a like manner with respect to the shafts'51 and 52,V hereinbefore described.

Threadedon the shaft 74 are mountings 79. These mountings 79 are adjustable relative to each other whenl the handle 76 is rotated in a like manner as the roll 4supporting members and 57. Each of these mountings 79 (Figs. 5, 7) are identical and provide laterally ex-r tending spaced apart anges 80. f These ilanges 80 are in vertical alignment with respect to each other and provide a circular opening therethrough. Between the anges 80 andpivotally mounted thereto by a pin 81 are wing plates 82. Through the wing plates 82 is formed a passage 83. Slidably contained in the passage 83 is al1-arm 84. The lower lend of the arm 84 is (Fig. 7) connected to the j elevator table 85 by means of an angle iron 86. Such tween the front legs thereof, are spindle shafts 51'and 52., At one end of each of the shafts 51 and 52 are handles 53 and 54, respectively. Carried byeach of the spindle shafts 51 and52 are wrapping paper roll sup.- porting members 55. The spindle shafts '51 and 52 are each equally divided along their longitudinal length by reverse threading. Thurs, when the`handles 53 and 54v are rotated, the roll supporting members 55 will be adjusted relative to each other. Immediately below each of the shafts 51 and 52 is positioned a supporting shaft 56whichis adapted to Slidably support a portion ofthe roll supporting members 55. As the wrapping and sealing paper 58 fpass'es from either paper roll as supported Connected to the bar 66 and 'extending upwardly therefrom are angle irons 87. Connecting the free ends plate 92 is adapted to be disposed immediately behind by the members 55 and 57, it passes over -a roller 59. v

This roller 59 is provided at one end thereof with a gear member 60, Fig. 5. Immediately above the roller 59 is a shaft 61 carried by the frame 10. This shaft 61 proV vides a series of rollers 62l spaced apart from each other Between the series of rollers 62 projects the forward end 63 of an entrance guide plate 64 (Figs. 5 and 7). The shaft'61 at one end thereof, is also provided with a gear 65 operatively connected to' the gear of the 'roller 59. These gears 60 a'nd 65 and their operationwill be hereinafter explained.

Referring to Fig. 5, there. is shown a at bar 66 connected to the frame 10.. This bar is parallel to and irnmediately abo'vethe shaft61. Bolted to the center of the bar 66 is a bracket 67. Through this bracket is a circular passage 68. .Extending through this passage 68 is a shaft 69, *which shaft'69 terminatesinto circular bearings 70. The shaft61- is rotatably projected through the bearings 70.Y The top'end of the, shaft 69 terminates intoffa circular camv plate 71. VPositioned between Vthis the bracket 67 as viewed in Figs. Sand 6.

Attached to the top of the mountings 79. and extending over the machine as viewed in Figs. l and 9, are track members 93. Slidably positioned on these trackmembers 93 Vare blocks 94. Carried by these blocks 94 and depending therefrom are package pushers 95. On top of the blocks 94 is swivelly `carried an arm 96. Pivotally attached to the arm 96 is one end of an actuating rod 97. Fixedly attached to the block 94 and extending in parallel spaced apart relation to the track members 93 is a rod 98, its purpose and function to bejhereinafter made apparent.

yCarried by the under side of the track members 93 forwardly of the mountings 79 are depending side plates 99. The mountings 79 provide a flat forwardly extending cam-'plate` 71 andthe top connectionA ofthe bracket 67v is acam disc 72..,` :This .carndisc 72 is 'provided-With a handle 73 bywhich it 'may be rotated about the shaft 69. This cam. disc 72 has a cam surface formed thereon side and lower end of theA arm 84. The wing plate 82v has connected thereto one end of a coil spring 104. A The opposite end 'of the spring 104 is connected to theV side plates 99 as viewed in Fig. 6. The construction is such that the 4spring 104 normally urges the Wing plate 82 in the direction of the side plates 99.

It should be apparent that all the described components that are carried by the mountings 79, such as the track members 93, wing plates 82, the bar 84 carried thereby, and the block 94 as carried by the track members93, are adjustable relative to each other through the rotation of the spindle shaft 74. As such, these elements may be adjusted to `the size of the package placed in the machine for wrapping.

Immediately behind the roller 59 and beneath the spindle shaft 74 extends the bight portion of a U-shaped member 105. The arms 106 of the U-shaped member are adapted to sit upon a part of the frame as viewed in Fig. 7. 'I'he ends of the arms 106 are pivotally mounted by means of a bolt 107 to the frame 10. By means Iof a hinge 108 connected to the inner side of the bight portion 105 is hingedly carried a knife supporting member 109. The knife blade 110 is iixedly attached thereto by means of a screw 111. A stationary knife blade 112 is connected by means of a bolt 114 to flange members 113 provided by the frame 10. Supported by the ange member 113 on the opposite side with respect to the lower knife blade 112 is a lower stripper plate 115. Between this lower stripper plate 115 and the lower knife blade 112 and the entrance guide plate 64 is a paper passage 116. The wrapping paper will pass over the -roll 59 beneath the entrance guide plate 64 and pass through the paper passage 116. The paper will be stripped from the roll 59 by the stripper plate 115. One of the arms 106 (Figs. 7 and 17) provides a depending ange 117 which passes to the outside of the frame 10 and terminates into a roll 118. This roller is engaged by one end of the knife blade cam bar 119. The operation of such knife blade cam bar will be hereinafter made apparent.

Beneath the elevator table 85 and supported by depending side anges 120 thereof is a paper tunnel. This paper tunnel consists of upper and lower metal backing plates 121 and 122 and upper and lower static-resistant tunnel sheets 123 and 124. Between the tunnel sheets 123 and 124 is a paper passage 125. When the elevator table 85 is in the position shown -in Fig. 6, the paper tunnel 125 will be in communication with the paper passage 116 hereinbefore described. As such, paper from the paper supply 4rolls will pass through such passages. The elevator table 85 also provides at its front edge a roller 126. 'Ihis roller is carried by arms 127 tixedly attached in any suitable manner to the under side of the elevator table 85 (Fig. 7). Connected to the lower metal backing plate 122 by means of screws 128, is an elevator rod 129. It is this rod 129 that raises and lowers the elevator table 8S in a manner hereinafter described. As the arms 84 are connected to the elevator table 85, they too will be raised and lowered through the wing plates 82. The lower ends of the arms provide an angular rod 130 preshaped so as to provide an angular surface131, the purpose of which will be hereinafter made apparent.l

When the elevator table 85 is in its lowermost position shown in Fig. 7, the portion 132 of the rod 130 will be in vertical alignment with the side plates 99. When the elevator table 85 is in its uppermost position as shown in Fig. 6, the rod 130 will be cammed out of and from beneath the side plates 99, this by reason of the engagement of the cam head 102 with the cam block 103 as carried by the arms 84. The purpose and function of this operation will be made apparent.

Referring to Fig. 9, it is seen that thertrack members 93 extend to the rear of the machine and freely rest upon a supporting bar 133 carried by angle iron 134 xedly connected to the frame 10. Fixedly attached to the bar 133 is the end of the guide bar 89. The rods 98 are (Figs. 9, ll) shown to be xedly journalled through slidable blocks 135 which blocks 135 are slidably mounted onthe tracks 93 and which blocks 135 carry a depending pack- !age pusher 136. These blocks 135 and pusher 136 are similar in construction and operation to the blocks M and pusher 95 hereinbefore described. (See also Fig. l0.)

6 The actuating rod 97 is xedly attached to the upper end of a U-shaped member 137, which 'U-shaped member 137 connects together the package moving crank arms 21;

Fixedly attached to the angle iron 134 between the portions of the frame 10 is a bottom sealer table 138. The angle iron 134 also provides support for a package table 139, Figs. 9, l0.

Carried by the track members 93 adjacent the end thereof which is supported by the support bar 133 are side sealing units 140. Referring to Fig. 12, these side sealing units consist of a block 141 which is adapted to be fastened to the under side of the track members 93. Through the upper portion of the block 141 is jour nalled a circular rod 142. This rod 142 passes through the circular bearings 143 of connecting arms 144. The connecting arms 144 by means of screws 145 carry the side plates 146. The block 141 at the lowermost corners thereof provides depending and laterally extending legs 147. Between one of these legs 147 and the arm 144 is a spring 148. Between the block 141 and the bearing 143 and journalled on the rod 142 is a latch `arm 149. This arm is pivotally connected to the bearing 143 as at 150. Carried by the rear surface of the side plate 146 is a handle 151. The side plate 146 is provided with a suitable connector 152 for connecting thereto an electrical conductor for supplying heat to the side plate 146. When the handle 151 is raised as shown in Fig. 13, the arm 144 can be pivoted in `a counter-clockwise direction about the rod 142 until the latch arm 149 can engage one of the laterally extending legs 147 provided by the block 141. Such movement of the arm 144 is against the action of spring 148, and in such position the side plate 146 is out of sealing position with respect to a package passing through the machine. In order to re-position the side plate 146 into sealing position, the latch armr149 is raised and by reason of the spring 148, the arm 144 together with the side plate 146 is pivoted in a clockwise direction as seen in Figr 13, to its operative position. It is desirable to provide such positionable side sealing units 140 because many packages do not require side seals, and these units may be positioned out of sealing position.

Referring to Fig. 7, there is shown a package receiving surface 153, which is in horizontal alignment with the elevator table 85 when it is in its uppermost position. This package receiving surface 153 is provided with a roller 154 journalled in end bushings 155 as seen in Fig. 7. This package receiving surface 153 provides a side llange 156 which is attached by means of bolts 157 to the frame 10 (Fig. 7).

Carried by and beneath the track members 93 and movable therewith are side guide plates 158. These side guide plates 158 have extending from one side thereof an arcuated bracket 159. Connected to one end of the bracket 159 is :a track plate 160. This track plate 160 ycarries horizontally extending track members 161 as viewed in Fig. l0. As viewed in Fig. 9 each of the track members 93 carries a like side guide plate 158 and each plate 158 has a bracket 159 :and each bracket carries a track having corresponding track members 161. EX- tending from the package receiving surface 153 is a package support 162. This package s-upport 162 terminates into facial abutment with one edge of the package table 139 (Fig. 10). The side guide plates 158 also provide at their line of junction with the package table 139 a horizontally extending member 163 which has a tapered edge surface 164 which is curved to conform with the curved front surface of the track member 161 as viewed in Fig. 10. Such tapered surface 164 is functional in wrapping the paper about a package to be wrapped in a manner hereinafter made apparent.

The package table 139 is provided with like sidel guide walls 165 in vertical alignment with respect to the side -guide plates 158 as viewed in Fig. 9. At the rear end of lthe machine and supported by the angle irons 134 is e bar 166. This bar 166 supports thek rear end of a package travel table 167, the forwairdvend .of which'is snp- Ported by suitable supports 168V connected vtothefram@ in any suitable manner. Y

' As heretofore mentioned, there of blocks 135 slidably positioned on the track members 93. Each of these blocks 135 carries a package pusher 136. Each of the blocks is spaced apart a predetermined distance by the rod 98 which connects them together (Figs. 1, 9 and 10). Referring particularly to Fig. 9, it is pointed out that the middle blocks 135 are connected together by a laterally extending arm 169. This ann 169 has formed therein at each end, longitudinally extending slots 170. Iournalled through these slots 170 and xedly carried by the blocks 135 is a screw 171. Thearm 169 at the middle thereof is connected to a bar 172 which has its opposite end connected to the top of the bushing head 90. (See Figs. 6 and 9.)

The package pushers 136 as carried by the slidable blocks 135 are shown in Figs. 10 and ll. These package pushers 136 comprise a member 173 that is bifurcated at both ends. One bifurcated end is pivotally attached as at 174 to the block 135. The other bifurcated end receives the reduced head 175 of the lower portion ofthe package pusher 136. This reduced head 175 is pivotally attached as at 176 to the one bifurcated end of the member 173 as viewed in Fig. l0. The package pusher 136 comprises a foot 177. This foot is pivotally attached to the pusher 136 by means of a pin 178. Between the foot 177 and the end of the pusher 136 is disposed a spring 179. The pin 178 extends through an elongated slot formed in the foot 177, and the above construction is such that the spring 179 yieldably forces the foot 177 downwardly away from the pivotal connection through the pin 178. The spring 179 therefore provides the yieldable foot 177 for the package pusher 136.

Carried at the rear edge of the sealer table 138 is a bottom sealer plate 180, Figs. 8 and 9. This plate 180 has laterally extending flanges 181, which by screws 182 is connected to the edge of the bottom sealer table 138. This bottom sealer plate 180 has a depending portion 183 which has connected thereto one end of a spring 184. The opposite` end of the spring 184 isl attached to an angle iron member 185 carried by the sup# port 166 as seen in Fig. 8. The sealing plate 180 also provides a Z-shaped member 186 which has at its free end an adjustable screw 187. This screw 187 has its free end in bearing engagement with the support 166. The normal operation is as follows: the spring 184 will normally pivot thek bottom sealer plate 180 upwardly out of the horizontal'plane of the bottom sealer table 138 and package travel table 167, Such horizontal displacement can be adjusted by the screw 187. This bottom sealer plate 180 is employed primarily for packages that have` a concave bottom surface whereon the bottom sealer table A138 is not capable of performing its heat sealing function. The bottom sealer table 138 as well as the side sealing units 140 have suitable electrical connections (not shown).

,Positioned beneath the package receiving surface 153 (Fig. 7) and the package track 160 is a compensating plate 189.V This plate 189 is carried by a shaft 190 rotatably journalled in bushings 191 carried by the frame 10. At either side of the plate .189. and adjacent the front end thereof, there are provided.verticallyextending bearings 192. Pivotally attached-to the bearings 192 are arms 193 which support av roller 194. The roller `194 extends the width of the compensating plate 189 and along the forward edge thereof and isfadapted to be in facial abutment therewith.. The plate 189fat each corner along such forward edge provides a ring guide 195 through which the shaft 196 of the roller 194 projects. To the rear of the arms 193-'there is provided 'a cam surface 197. ThisV cam surface 197 is adapted to be moved into engagement with the cam head 198 of a bolt is provided a pluralityl 199'threadedV into edge portions ofthe package'track'160 as1viwdin-l=g7`g fz'.- .11,1 u i. 'jfPivotally'connected/to thewbottom of lthecompensatingplate 1 89 adjacentits pivotal connection as Aatv200 adjacent rthe shaft is one `end of an actuating arm 201,1Fig2j, lmflfhre @opposite end of such `arm 201 has operative connection to the compensating l.plate cam 23. This compensating plate 189 isadapted to have its top horizontal edgeV in .vertical alignment with .the paper parssag'e-125 ofthe elevator table y85 when the same is in its raised or uppermostposition. Such compensating plate `189 through the actuating arm 201, is rotated into the' position `shown by dotted lines in Fig..7 ata pre: determined time in the operation of the wrapping malchine, whichltime will behereinafter made apparent; The means employed to -feed 1a preselected length of paper `into my` wrapping'machineconsists of the cam 24 being mounted for rotation upon the shaft 15. -`Oneof thepackage moving crank arms 21.has a camfollower 202 which .rides in the cam groove or track of the cani 24, as viewed in Fig. 18. Y v The paper -feeding means is arranged for timed c'oac'tion with the other wrapping mechanisms throughan `adjustable drivingconnection with the package moving crank armsl 21. One of thesepackage moving crank arms`21 has a formation 203 which is shaped to provide a guideway 204for `an adjustable traveller in the form ofa sliding block 20S-'This block 205 is threaded on an adjustingY spindle 206 journalledin the guideway and arranged to be rotated by a hand crank 207 for the purpose of causing the block 205to be vertically moved back andforth in the guideway 204.

Projecting from the block 205 is a stud 208 to which ispivotally attached one end of an atcuating bar 209. The oppositeend of the actuating bar 209 isprovided with arack of teeth V210 and is slidably mounted for rocking reciproeation on rollers 211 attached to the front end of the frame 10. (See Fig. 17.)

By turning the hand crank 207, the block 205 and its stud 20? is moved to any desired position along the guideway 204 -on the spindle 206 to position an'index on such block 205 opposite a desired number indication provided along the guideway 204, these indications being calibrated to indicate the number of inches of paper to be fed in a manner hereinafter described. In this way, theV adjustable connection between the package moving crank arms 21 and the actuating bar 209 is changed to vary the stroke thereof with a consequent variation in the movement of the rack teeth 210. Adjacent the tooth rack bar end of the actuatingbar 209, is a clutch mechanism. This clutch mechanism includes an actuating rod 212 which has its end portion connected to an arm 213 of a bell crank 214. The bell crank 214 is supported by a bracket 215 carried by the frame 10. This bell crank 214 provides a yoke`216 which has depending from the ends thereof pins 217 which engage in grooves 218-of one `section 219' of the clutch mechanism. This clutch section 219 is slidably mounted upon a stud shaft 220 and is keyed thereto for rotation therewith. The opposing face of'the clutch mechanism is made up of 'teeth 221 which are adapted, when meshed together, to provide driving connection therewith. Y

One part of the clutch section is formed as an integral part of a gear 222 which is freely rotatable on the end portion of a stud shaft223. -The gear 222 is adapted to operatively mesh with a gear 224 fixed on the end portion 22S of the shaft that carries the roller 59. On the shaft that carriesvthe roller 59Yand on the opposite side of the frame 10 with respect to Vthe gear 22S is mounted the gear 60. This gear 60 meshes'with a like gear 65 mounted on the shaft 61 as heretofore described (Fig. 16). On the stud-shaft 2 23 there is mounted a gear 226 formed as an integral part thereof and 25,8naar1 which operatively meshes with the teeth 21,0 of the actuating bar 209. v

The operation of the clutch mechanism when actuated through the rod 212 will cause the meshing of the teeth 221` of the clutch faces. Thus, the gear 222 is operatively connected to the section of the clutch 219 which is rotated through the driving connection of the teeth 210 of the actuating bar 2129 and the gear 226. The rotation of the gear 222 will in turn rotate the gear 224 rotating the shaft and meshing the gears 64) and 65 so as to turn the roller 59 and the rollers 62, thus feeding a web of paper therebetween.

During the sequential operation of the paper feeding means heretofore described, it becomes necessary to remove the knife blade 110 from its paper cutting position as shown-in Fig. 7, so that the web of paper is free to be projected through the paper passage 116 and the paper passage 125 when they are in horizontal alignment. To accomplish this result, there is mounted on the projected end of the shaft 15, a cam 227. This cani 227 is adapted to be in contact with a roller follower 228 carried at one free end of the knife pivoting bar 119. The opposite free end of the bar 119 is adapted to engage the roller 118 provided by the depending flange 117 of the arm 106 of the knife supporting U-shaped member 165. The bar 119 is pivotally attached intermediate the ends thereof as at 230 to a portion of the frame 10. By such construction, at a predetermined time the bar 119 will be pivoted about its connection 230 by the cam 227 to raise the knife 110 to pivot the knife support 105 about its pivotal connection 167 to the frame 10, as hereinbefore described.

The operation of the above described structural parts of this machine in their sequential order is as follows: the operator of the device will rst determine the proper setting of the machine. This setting is computed so as to correspond to the size of the package to be wrapped and sealed. In order to do this, the operator will place the package to be wrapped between the upright fingers 231 carried by the slidable blocks 94 positioned on the track members 93. The operator will then turn the handle 76, which will r-otate the spindle shaft 74, which will move the mountings 79 together with the slidable blocks 94 and fingers 231 into adjusted position with respect to each other and at a point where the distance therebetween will correspond to the size of the package.

The shaft 74 is connected by the chain 78 to a second spindle shaft 74 carried at the rear end of the machine. This second shaft 74 cooperates with the first to adjust both ends of the track members 93 and associated parts as heretofore mentioned.

The operator will then place the package on the loading table 26 and through the manipulation of the handle 47 move the package positioning arms 43 carried thereby into package engaging position. It is pre-supposed at this juncture that the web of paper 58 has been threaded between the rollers 59 and 62 and into the stationary paper passage 116. The package on the loading table 26 will normally depress the spring arm 49 of the switchl unit 50, thereby closing the same. Such switch unit 50 is in series with a master switch 232 carried by the frame adjacent the loading table 26 (Fig. l) and in parallel circuit with a switch 233 carried by a support member 234 of the frame10 (Fig. 2). By the closing of the switch unit 50 and the master switch 232, an electric circuitis established to the electric motor 11. The slip clutch 14 thereof may be actuated through any suitable means such as a manual lever 235 carried by the frame 10 adjacent the loading table 26 (Fig. l).

When the slip clutch 14 has been actuated, the motor 11 through the chain 17 will rotate the shafts 15 and 18. The rotation of the shafts 15-and 18 will rotate the series of cams attached thereto. The first of these cams which produces an operational function is theip'aper feed and package moving crank arm cam 24. rI'he'closing of the l heretofore described switches and loperation of lever 235 will bring'about the actuation of the clutch mechanism heretofore described through the moving of the actuating rod 212 in any suitable manner. As the cam 24 moves the package moving crank arms 21, the paper feed actuating bar 209 will be moved therewith. As the clutch is operative the rollers 59 and 62 are rotated through the series of gears 222, 224, 226, 60 and 65, t-o feed a web of paper through the paper passage 116 and the paper tunnel 125 provided by the elevator 85. At the same time, the knife blade 110 is raised out of paper cutting position through the operation of the cam 227 carried by and rotatable with the shaft 15. Simultaneously with this movement, the compensating plate cam 23 will pivot the compensating plate 189 about its shaft 190 in an upward direction from the position shown in full lines as viewed in Fig. 7, so that the paper holding roller 194 through its arms 193 is raised from the compensating plate 189. This raising action is through the action of the cam surface 197 being moved into engagement with the cam head 198. As such the web of paper which is fed through the paper passage 116 and the paper tunnel 125 is permitted to pass under the roller 194 and project a predetermined distance onto the compensating plate 189.

Immediately upon the termination of the above operation of the structural elements described, the elevator cam 22 will rock the cam arm 236 about its pivotal connection with the shaft 20 (Figs. 2 and 18), to perform two functions: The first of these functions being the moving of the loading table 26 on the track 27. This is accomplished through pivotal link connections 237 and 238 between the cam arm236 and a semi-circular actuating arm 239. This semi-circular actuating arm 239 is pivotally connected as at 239 to a belly support member 240 of the frame 10. This actuating arm 239 is pivotally connected as at 240 to one end of a moving bar 241 pivotally connected as at 242 to the carriage member 31. As the cam arm 236 is pivoted, it will cause the actuating arm 239 to be pivoted about its pivotal connection 239 to cause the pivotal connection 240 between the circular bar 239 and the moving bar 241, to be moved to the left as viewed in Fig. l, thereby causing the loading table to slide in that direction on the track 27.

Simultaneously with this operation, the elevator 85, which has its elevator rod 129 connected to the end of the cam arm 236, will be caused to be moved in a downward direction to a position as shown in Fig. 7. At this position, the elevator table will be on a horizontal level with the loading table 26. It should be noted that as the knife blade was momentarily held Iout of paper cutting position by the cam 227, before this presently described operation is accomplished through cam 22 the knife blade 110 has been dropped to cut the web of paper that had been fed into the machine as hereinbefore described. As the elevator 85 was lowered in the manner hereinbefore described, one end of the paper web 58, was held on the compensating plate 189 by the roller 194. When the elevator was lowered, the paper was caused to be partially withdrawn from the paper tunnel 125. When the elevator 85 reached its lo-wermost position, the web of paper 58 which was hanging between the elevator 85 and the loading table26 will be strung in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig, 7 by an operation hereinafter described. At this juncture of operation the cam 25 carried by the shaft 18, has rocked a package pusher arm 243 into engagement with a stud 244 carried by a horizontal extension 245 of the post 37 carried by the pusher plate 39 of the loading table 26 (Fig. 7). Continued movement of the cam 25 and the arm 243 will cause thepost 37 to slide in the direction of the elevator 85 on the guide plates 35 so as to push a package P from the loading table 26 onto the elevator table 85 (Fig. 7). Such movement of the package P to be wrapped, from the loading table 26 to the elevator 85 will cause such package toengage the web vof paper 58 which is in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7, so 'that such package P will have its leading edgecovered' by a portion'of the ,web of paper 58 and will havethe lowermost end 58, of 'such web of paper beneath'such leading edge of the package when it is, pushed onto the elevator 85. As the `pushed, package P engages the web of paper 58, the compensating plate cam 23 will rock the compensating plate 189v about its shaft 190 through the actuating arm 201 which is connected between such plate 189 and such plate cam 23 to the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. 7.

Asl the package P is pushed fromthe loading table 26 onto the elevator 85, it will have its sides engaged by the portions 132k of the angular rods 131 which are carried by the arms S4. The rod 131 through its angular formation will tuck-a portion of the web of paper into facial abutment with the side of the package. These rods 131 also act as a package holding guide while such package P is on the elevator 85. lt should be remembered that there are two arms 84 which carry corresponding rods 130, so that the web of paper 58 is tucked at each forward corner of the package P as it moves onto the elevator 85 between rods 130.` k

At this point, the cam 22 together with its actuating age P is moved oirthe elevator 85 lbefore such elevator commences its downward movement.

The package P will be moved from the elevator 85 onto a package receiving surface 153. The side guide plates 158 adjacent said surface 153 will engage the-side of the package P as it is moved off the elevator 85 and ontoAthe package receiving surface 153.`l The lower leading edge 247 of eachof these side guide plates 158 is formed to direct the side edges of the paper web 58 in a downward direction against the sides of the package P. By directingr 85 and the corresponding structural elements hereinbefore.

arm 236 reverses the operation so as to raise the elevator 35 and withdraw .the loading table 26 from within the frame 10. As the elevator-85 raises, the top of the package P will nbe brought into engagement with the lower longitudinal edges of the side plates 99 carried by the track members 93. As the elevator 8S moves upwardly, the arms 84 together with their wing plates 82 and the rods 130 will be pivoted out of package engagement by reason of the cam head 102 engaging the cam block 103 carried by the arms 84. As the rods 130 are disengaged from the package P, the package P is engaged by the side plates 99. By such engagement of the side plates 99 with the package P as it is raised by the elevator 85, the web of paper 58 which is now lying over the top of the package P will have the sides thereof folded downward over the corner tucks made by the rods 130.

When the package P was removed from the loading table 26 by the pusher plate 39, the switch unit 50 returned to its normal open position. However, the energization of the electric motor 11 was maintained through the switch 233 which had been closed by reason of the fact that a cam surface 246 carried by the rod 129 of the elevator 85 (Fig. 2), was moved into engagement with an arm `of such switch 233. When the elevator 85 ytogether with its rod l129 has been returned to its normal position (whichis `its uppermost position) the switch 233 was again opened by its disengagement with the cam 246 and disrupted the circuit. to the electric motor 11.

At this point in the operation of the device, the operator should be prepared to place asecond package on the loadin'g table 26, thereby closing the switchunit 50. By again closingthe master switch 232, the cycle of operation as heretofore described is again completed for a new package.

The first package which at the start of the second cycle of the machine is positioned between the side plates 99 l on the elevator 85 will be moved olf the elevator 85 by the pusher plate`92 carried by the bushing head 90 which -is slidable along the guide bar 89. This sliding movement of the pusher plate 92 is brought about by the rocking of the package moving crank arms 21 by the cam 24, ,as hereinbefore described. The rocking of the arms 21 will move the Yel-shaped member 137 through a pre-selected arc. Suchmovement of the member 137 will through the actuating rods 97 cause the blocks 94 and 135 to slide along the track members 93. The pusher plate 92 is likewise moved with blocks 94 by reason of its connection to the bai- 172 whichv isfixedly connected at one end of the top ofthe bushing head 90 andhas its opposite end connected to the-arm 169` which in turn is adjustably connected to the blocks Y94 (Fig. 9) Thus, it is apparent that the packdescribed have completed the second cycle of operation. Thus, the original package is now ready to pass onto the bottom sealer table 138. The package of the second cycle' is now on the elevator between the side plates 99. Atthis point the operator is again in a position to place the next package to be wrapped on the loading table 26.-

From the description of operation up to this point, it is clearly evident that the operator has direct control of the machine at the end of every cycle of operation. The packaging process may be caused to function as rapidly ask the operator can place the package on the loading table.

26 and the cycle of operation can be completed. 1

When the third cycle has commenced, the original package P will be engaged by the package pushers 95 and moved onto the bottom sealer plate 138 and between the side sealer140. By suitable electrical connection; the plate 138 and side sealer 140 are maintained ata predetermined degree of heat which effects a sealing condition on the paper as employed in such machine. Afterthe paper has been sealed in its *folded position on the sides and bottom thereof, it is pushed onto the package' travel table 167 and out of the machine. If the package P were to have a concave bottom surface, bettersealing condition isvr achieved by the concave bottom sealer A180 hereinbeforedescribed, and which isy in the path of a` package P as it is moved off the bottom sealer plate 138; Carriedby the trackV members 93 and positioned so as to be suspended between the confronting side sealing units over and above the bottom sealer plate 138 are package hold down members 247 (Figs. 9 and l0); These package hold down members 247 have pivotal con` nections 248k at each end thereof so that they will not interfere with the passing of the package thereunder but will 'bythein own weight cause said package to be in sealing contact with the bottom sealer plate 138. While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this Vis capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, .do not wish to be limited to the precise details of constructionset forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims. Y Having thus described by invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. Anautomatic package wrapping machine comprising an elevator movable in a vertical direction from a package receiving position to a package discharge position and having a transversely extending paper tunnel, a stationary paper tunnel adapted to register with the paper tunnel of the elevator when the latter is in package dis'- charge position, means for moving a web of paper through the stationary tunnel and thence through the tunnel o f the elevator with-the' end projecting beyond the latter, means for grasping and holding said end of the paper web 'when saidelevator moves from fone position to an`- other,`means for 'severing the paperweb after the same has been projectedV inthe tunnel ofthe elevator, a package loading table adapted to register with the elevator when the latter is in package receiving position, means for moving a package transversely off of the table against the paper web extending from said holding means and said tunnel of the elevator and onto said elevator with the paper embracing three sides of the package, means for tucking the corners of said paper into facial abutment With certain corners of said package when said package is moved from said table onto said elevator, means responsive to the position of said elevator for pivoting said corner tucking means into and out of operative position with respect to said package, side folding means adapted to engage said package when the elevator is in package discharging position for folding the sides of the paper web with respect to the package, end lfolding means in the plane of movement of the package from the elevator when the latter is in package discharge position, means for moving said package from said elevator when it is in package discharge position into engagement with said end folding means to fold the paper web against the ends of the package, and means for sealing the folded paper web with the package enclosed in said web, said last named means including a package bottom sealer and package side sealer positioned in the path of movement of said package through said machine after said package leaves said elevator.

2. An automatic package wrapping machine comprising an elevator movable in a vertical direction from a package receiving position to a package discharge position and having a transversely extending paper tunnel, a stationary paper tunnel adapted to register with the paper tunnel of the elevator when the latter is in package discharge position, means for moving a web of paper through the stationary tunnel and -thence through the tunnel of the elevator with the end projecting beyond the latter, means for grasping and holding said end of the paper web when said elevator moves from-one position to another, means for severing the paper web after the same has been projected in the tunnel of the elevator, a package loading table adapted to register with the elevator when the latter is in package receiving position, means for moving a package transversely off of the table against the paper web extending from said holding. means and said tunnel of the elevator and onto said elevator with the paper embracing three sides of the package, means for tucking the corners of said paper into facial abutment with certain corners of said package when said package is moved from said table onto said elevator, means responsive to the position `of said elevator for pivoting said corner tucking means into and out of operative position with respect to said package, side folding means adapted to engage said package when the elevator is in package discharging position for folding the sides of the paper web with respect to the package, end folding means in the plane of movement of the package from the elevator when the latter is in package discharge position, means for moving said package from said elevator when it is in package discharge position into engagement with said end folding means to fold the paper web against the ends of the package, means for releasing said web of paper from said paper holding means when said package is moved from said table to said elevator, and means for sealing the folded paper web with the package enclosed in said web, said last named means including a package bottom sealer and package side sealer positioned in the path of movement of said package through said machine after said package leaves said elevator.

3. In a package wrapping and sealing machine a pair of carriages arranged for reciprocal movement through a plane at right angles with respect to each other, said carriages having a point of horizontal alignment during their reciprocal movement, means for transferring a package to be wrapped from one carriage to the other during their horizontal alignment, means for suspending a web of paper between said carriages during said package transferring so that said package by its movement will engage said paper so as to c'over one side and top thereof, means on the carriage receiving said package for folding said paper about certain corners thereof, side folding means engageable with said paper when said package is carried by the package receiving carriage during a part of its reciprocal movement, means for moving said partially wrapped package from the package receiving carriage into engagement with folding members for eiecting folding of said paper into facial abutment with the bottom of said package, and means for sealing 'the paper so wrapped about said package.

4. In a package wrapping and sealing machine a pair of carriages arranged for reciprocal movement through a plane at right angles with respect to each other, said carriages having a point of horizontal alignment during their reciprocal movement, means for transferring a package to be wrapped from one carriage to the other during their horizontal alignment, means for suspending a web of paper between said carriages during said package transferring so that said package by its movement will engage said paper so as to cover one side and top thereof, means on the carriage receiving said package for folding said paper about certain corners thereof, side folding means engageable with said paper W-hen said package is carried by the package receiving carriage durv ing a part of its reciprocal movement, means for moving said partially wrapped package from the package receiving carriage into engagement with folding members for effecting folding of said paper into facial abutment with the bottom of said package, and means for sealing the paper so wrapped about said package, and driving connections for reciprocating said carriages in a predetermined timed relative movement.

5. In a package wrapping and sealing machine a pair of carriages arranged for reciprocal movement through a plane at right angles with respect to each other, said carriages having a point of horizontal alignment during their reciprocal movement, means for transferring a package to be Wrapped from one carriage to the other during their horizontal alignment, means for suspending a web of paper between said carriages during said package transferring so that said package by its movement will engage said paper so as to cover one side and top thereof, corner folding members on the carriage receiving said package for folding said paper about certain corners thereof, side folding means engageable with said paper ywhen said package is carried by the package receiving carriage during a part of its reciprocal movement, means for moving said partially wrapped package from the package receiving carriage into engagement with folding members for effecting folding of said paper into facial abutment with the bottom of said package, and means for sealing the paper so wrapped about said package.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,082,945 Ferenci June s, 1937 

